Riddhi Kothari, DO

Dr. Bernard is a board-certified Psychiatrist from New Orleans, LA, with fellowship training in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry at Stanford University. His career has spanned both academic medicine and clinical leadership, including serving as Medical Director of a hospital-based C-L Psychiatry service and teaching medical students and residents. His background in academics, leadership and subspecialty training allows him to bridge all aspects of his patient's health. His hobbies include yoga, meditation, martial arts, snowboarding and inline hockey.

Patients can expect a thoughtful, respectful, and collaborative approach. He works to understand both the biological and psychological aspects of each person’s experience, and he believes in creating individualized treatment plans that are practical and evidence-based. His style emphasizes open communication, setting clear goals together, and making sure patients feel heard and supported throughout their care.

He begins with a comprehensive assessment to understand each patient’s medical, psychological, and social background. From there, he partners with patients to identify their goals and tailor a treatment plan that may include psychotherapy, medication, lifestyle modifications or coordination with other healthcare providers. He regularly checks in on progress, adjusts as needed, and strives to create a therapeutic relationship that feels safe, structured, and effective.

Dr. Sabrina Lefcochilos-Fogelquist earned her bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and her medical degree from Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. She completed her psychiatry residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Morningside/West in New York City. She has experience in outpatient, inpatient, and emergency psychiatry, treating a broad spectrum of mental health conditions across diverse populations.

Dr. Lefcochilos-Fogelquist values compassionate, holistic care and strives to build long-term, collaborative relationships with her patients. She is particularly drawn to the outpatient setting, where she can engage with the evolving narratives of her patients’ lives. She creates a warm, supportive environment where individuals feel safe, respected, and heard.

Her process begins with a comprehensive evaluation to understand each patient’s history, concerns, and goals. Treatment plans are individualized and may include medication management and psychotherapy. She integrates supportive, cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic, and mindfulness-based techniques to meet patients' evolving needs.

Dr. Christopher DeBernard is a board-certified psychiatrist with extensive clinical leadership experience. He earned his MD and completed a combined residency in Internal Medicine and Psychiatry at Tulane University School of Medicine. Previously board certified in Internal Medicine, he is especially comfortable caring for patients with medical comorbidities. Dr. DeBernard has worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings and held leadership roles as Chief Medical Officer at Arisa Health and Lotic.ai. He also brings a systems-thinking perspective to clinical care from earlier careers in engineering and consulting. He holds active medical licenses in Louisiana and Arkansas.

Dr. DeBernard strives to create a warm, collaborative environment where patients feel respected, understood, and supported. His approach combines evidence-based medicine with an appreciation for each patient’s unique story, values, and motivations. Patients can expect open, direct communication, shared decision-making, and treatment plans that align with their personal goals. Trust, empathy, and authenticity form the foundation of his therapeutic relationships.

Dr. DeBernard begins by listening closely to each patient’s history, concerns, and hopes for treatment. Together, he works with patients to establish clear goals and develop individualized care plans that may include therapy, medication management, and lifestyle approaches. His focus is on both symptom relief and building long-term resilience, helping patients develop strategies that sustain well-being. Over time, he collaborates with patients to adapt treatment as their needs evolve, ensuring care remains effective and personalized.

Dr. Claudia Cao is a board-certified psychiatrist. She earned her medical degree and completed her general psychiatry residency at the University of Michigan, followed by a fellowship in psychodynamic psychotherapy through the Michigan Psychoanalytic Institute. Prior to psychiatry, Dr. Cao was a board-certified anesthesiologist and completed her anesthesia residency at UCLA and an obstetric anesthesia fellowship at Mass General Brigham.

Dr. Cao takes a multimodal approach to mental health care, integrating medication management, psychotherapy, lifestyle changes, and integrative methods. She values personal connection and believes that understanding each patient’s story is central to effective treatment. Her goal is to support patients in improving their quality of life in a collaborative and compassionate environment.

Dr. Cao spends the first several visits listening closely to understand each patient’s concerns, goals, and experiences. She then partners with patients to develop a personalized treatment plan. Ongoing visits are tailored to each individual’s needs and may evolve as treatment progresses.

Dr. Kyle Baird, DO, earned his medical degree from A.T. Still University – Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his psychiatry residency at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He has practiced in diverse academic outpatient settings, using a multidisciplinary approach to understand clients and develop personalized treatment plans. He also served as medical director of a large academic outpatient clinic, overseeing psychiatrists, residents, psychology students, and advanced practitioners.

Dr. Baird values a holistic perspective in care, emphasizing empathy, understanding, and patient-centered treatment. He fosters open, clear communication and collaborates with clients to explore the causes of symptoms, as well as the strengths and behaviors that support resiliency and well-being. He also considers daily routines and life contexts that influence mental health.

During the initial appointment, Dr. Baird conducts a thorough evaluation of concerns, history, and functioning, completing any necessary screenings. He then develops a personalized treatment plan collaboratively, reviewing potential therapeutic interventions. Follow-up visits typically combine medication management, if appropriate, with brief psychotherapeutic support, adjusting intervals based on client needs, monitoring, and treatment progress.

Dr. Seth Flesher is double board-certified in adult psychiatry and addiction medicine.  Dr. Flesher’s practice focuses on medication management of psychiatric illness without the use of controlled substances.  Typically, he offers this in conjunction with supportive or emotionally focused therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. However, occasionally Dr. Flesher may believe that additional therapy is also needed and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome.

Before joining Talkiatry Dr. Flesher was Medical Director of Advanced Psychiatric Services [complex/high profile cases] at Kings County Hospital and Unit Chief of the Covid19 positive unit.  He was also a clinical professor at Downstate Medical College where he was voted educator of the year numerous times by psychiatric residents and medical students.  Dr. Flesher is a graduate of the prestigious combined 6-year BS/MD program at The Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education.  He did research at the neuropsychiatric branch of the National Institute of Mental Health, completed his psychiatric residency at St. Lukes/Roosevelt Hospital, and he received his master’s degree in public health from Columbia University.

Dr. Flesher believes that psychiatry should start with a thorough assessment to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.  Then a discussion with the patient of the different evidence-based options available.  Followed by shared decision-making to arrive at an effective treatment plan to achieve the goals that the patient identifies as being important.  This should be done in an honest, open, non-judgmental, but realistic environment.  Understanding that the ultimate goal is to get the patient to a position where they will no longer need medication and/or therapy.